Surf Spots in Spain

Surfing in Spain was first introduced around 1960 when some
traveling French surfers went on safari looking for new waves in the Basque Region. Since then, surfing has caught fire with the Spanish people, producing some of Europe's best surfing talent.

Today, Spain holds some of the world's greatest waves, and the Billabong Pro Mundaka is a major stop on the ASP World Tour circuit. Outside of Mundaka's legendary lefts, few surfers know about the other world-class surf spots in Spain. With an adventurous spirit and a little planning, surfing Spain can be an amazing experience, both in and out of the water.

As with the rest of Europe, the surf season in Spain runs from Autumn through Spring. September to April sees incredibly consistent surf, and heavy tubing waves. The best waves are found on the North Atlantic coast. Howver, the Southern Atlantic coast is consistently warm and offers excellent uncrowded surfing conditions in the winter months.

Basque Coast Surfing in Spain

Spain surf on the North Atlantic coast (also known as the Basque Coast) offers some incredible waves.

There are lots of good surfers in San Sebastian, but also plenty of room to spread out

Boards

Shortboard, fish, funboard, longboard

Paddle Out

Moderate

Skill Level

Total beginner to advanced

Bottom

Sand

Watch Out For:

Too much nightlife can have you surfing with mucho hangovers

Water Condition

Pretty clean

Roca Puta - Pais Vasco in Northern Spain

Surf Location

In the town of Zumaia at Punta Izustarri

Best Swell Direction

Northwest

Best Tide

Low to incoming

Best Wind Direction

South

Best Surf Season

Fall and winter

Wave Quality

Awesome right-hand point break. Needs a large swell to really come alive. One of the best big waves in the area.

The Surfers

Heck yes, but it's a pretty mellow vibe

Boards

Shortboard, fish, funboard, longboard; big wave gun when it's firing

Paddle Out

Moderate

Skill Level

Intermediate to Advanced

Bottom

Big rocks

Watch Out For…

Rocks: the wave breaks in shallow water close to the rocky headline, but it sounds worse than it is

Water Condition

Pretty clean and clear

Mundaka - Basque Coast, Spain

Surf Location

In the Bay of Biscay

Best Swell Direction

Northwest

Best Tide

Low

Best Wind Direction

South

Best Surf Season

Fall

Wave Quality

Needs no introduction - one of the best waves in the world. Perfect peeling left-hand point break that can produce some of the longest tube rides in the world.

The Surfers

Some of the best surfers in Europe devote themselves to this wave. Full of pro surfers. Very competitive in the lineup, not for beginners.

Boards

Shortboard, big wave board for large winter swells

Paddle Out

Easy - jump off the cliff

Skill Level

Advanced

Bottom

Sand

Watch Out For…

Wipeouts - this wave breaks in shallow water over a hard-packed sandbar

Water Condition

Clean

Mundaka, Spain - Surf Video

Bakio - Basque Coast, Spain

Surf Location

West of Mundaka

Best Swell Direction

Northwest

Best Tide

High and low

Best Wind Direction

South

Best Surf Season

Fall

Wave Quality

Fun beach-break waves. Very consistent. Peaks can get hollow and fast.

The Surfers

Lots of local surfers, and lots of visiting surfers waiting on Mundaka to line up. There is some room to spread.

Boards

Shortboard, fish, funboard, longboard

Paddle Out

Moderate

Skill Level

Beginner to Advanced

Bottom

Sand

Watch Out For…

Nothing

Water Condition

Clean

Menakoz - Basque Coast, Spain

Surf Location

North coast in the town of Sopelana, due north of Bilbao

Best Swell Direction

Northwest

Best Tide

Incoming high tide

Best Wind Direction

Southeast

Best Surf Season

Fall and winter

Wave Quality

One of Europe's best big wave surf spots. Right-hand reef break that offers some very high-performance lines. Can hold plenty of size. Some say that it doesn't truly come to life until it's 20 ft!

The Surfers

Good local crew of surfers that have the spot wired. Don't come with attitude - you won't get any waves.

Boards

Shortboard, big wave gun, tow board

Paddle Out

Hard

Skill Level

Advanced surfers only

Bottom

Rock reef

Watch Out For…

The inside section breaks in shallower water with sharp rocks lining the bottom

Water Condition

Clean

Isla de Santa Marina - Cantabria, Spain

Surf Location

Near the town of Santander

Best Swell Direction

Northwest

Best Tide

Incoming high tide

Best Wind Direction

South

Best Surf Season

Fall and winter

Wave Quality

Right-hand point break that peels with razor-sharp perfection. It can hold a large swell very well.

The Surfers

Lots of good and competitive local surfers

Boards

Shortboard, longboard, big wave gun

Paddle Out

Moderate

Skill Level

Intermediate to Advanced

Bottom

Rocks on the take-off, but sand down the point

Watch Out For…

The rocks

Water Condition

Clean

Langre - Cantabria, Spain

Surf Location

Near Somo in Santander

Best Swell Direction

West

Best Tide

Low

Best Wind Direction

South

Best Surf Season

Fall and winter

Wave Quality

Fun beach-break waves perfect for beginners or longboarders. Long rides that wall up and peel with speed when the swell is bigger.

The Surfers

Can get crowded in summer, but generally not too bad. Mellow vibe.

Boards

Shortboard, fish, funboard, longboard

Paddle Out

Moderate but long

Skill Level

Total Beginner to Advanced

Bottom

Sand

Watch Out For…

Nothing

Water Condition

Clean and clear

Rodiles - Asturias, Spain

Surf Location

In a nature preserve near the town of Villaviaciosa

Best Swell Direction

North

Best Tide

Low to Mid

Best Wind Direction

Southwest

Best Surf Season

Fall and winter

Wave Quality

Totally epic left-hand river mouth break. Very hollow and fast. Many similarities to Mundaka, but the ride is not as long. The best wave in the Asturias region of Northern Spain.

The Surfers

Strong local crew, very competitive.

Boards

Shortboard, fish, funboard, longboard

Paddle Out

Long but easy paddle out

Skill Level

Intermediate to Advanced

Bottom

Sand

Watch Out For…

Crowds, locals

Water Condition

Clean

Tapia de Casariego - Asturias, Spain

Surf Location

Little fishing village near the cliff-fringed bay next to Cabo Gijón Cebes

Best Swell Direction

Northwest

Best Tide

All

Best Wind Direction

Southeast

Best Surf Season

Fall and winter

Wave Quality

Really fun beach-break waves that can peel for 150 to 200 yards. There is a point located at the western end of the bay that can get really good.

The Surfers

Mellow vibe from the locals

Boards

Shortboard, fish, funboard, longboard

Paddle Out

Moderate

Skill Level

Beginner to Advanced

Bottom

Sand and some rock

Watch Out For…

Crowds

Water Condition

Clean

Western and Northwestern spain

Far less publicized than the Basque region, Western and Northwestern Spain holds endless wave-riding potential without the huge crowds. This region of Spain has fewer towns and a much smaller population, which leaves the area with many uncharted surf spots.

Many of these beaches are visited only during summer months, which is not the region's best time for incoming swells. During fall and winter large swells consistently hit the western and northwestern coast of Spain. We have listed only a few of the better-known surf spots in this region. Happy hunting!

Foz - Galicia, Spain

Surf Location

In the town of La Coruna

Best Swell Direction

North

Best Tide

High and Low

Best Wind Direction

Southwest

Best Surf Season

Fall and winter

Wave Quality

Good beach-break waves. Fun rights and lefts.

The Surfers

Lots of surfers, but there are plenty of peaks to go around

Boards

Shortboard, fish, funboard, longboard

Paddle Out

Moderate

Skill Level

Beginner to Advanced

Bottom

Sand

Watch Out For…

Rips, pollution, crowds

Water Condition

Clean

Playa de Razo - Galicia, Spain

Surf Location

West of La Coruna

Best Swell Direction

Westerly

Best Tide

All

Best Wind Direction

South

Best Surf Season

Fall and winter

Wave Quality

Good spot for beginners. Fun and mellow beach-break waves that peel right and left.

The Surfers

Mellow vibe

Boards

Shortboard, fish, funboard, longboard

Paddle Out

Moderate

Skill Level

Total Beginner to Advanced

Bottom

Sand

Watch Out For…

Nothing

Water Condition

Clean

Rinlo - Galicia, Spain

Surf Location

East of Foz, west of Astunias

Best Swell Direction

Northwest

Best Tide

High

Best Wind Direction

South

Best Surf Season

Fall and winter

Wave Quality

Powerful left-hand reef break that can produce some fun tubes

The Surfers

Expert local crew has this place wired. Advanced surfers only.

Boards

Shortboard, big wave board

Paddle Out

Moderate

Skill Level

Advanced surfers only

Bottom

Rock slabs and reef

Watch Out For…

Rocks and wipeouts that wash you into the cliff

Water Condition

Clean

Patos - Galicia, Spain

Surf Location

Near Playa America

Best Swell Direction

Southwest

Best Tide

Incoming high tide

Best Wind Direction

East

Best Surf Season

Fall and winter

Wave Quality

Good beach break with fun rights and lefts. There is also a right-hand point break that gets very good.